Air NZ’s revamped business class makes me proud to be half Kiwi

Airline: Air New Zealand (NZ)

• The flight NZ8
• The route Auckland (AKL) to San Francisco (SFO)
• Frequency Daily, reducing to four/five flight runs a week during low-season months
• Aircraft Refurbished Dreamliner 787-9
• Class Business Premier, seat 3K, window
• Flight time 12 hours, 10 minutes (on time)

Checking in

I fly into Auckland from Sydney (3 hours, 5 minutes), landing just past 5pm and proceed straight to the lounge – perfect timing for cheese and biscuits with a Villa Maria Merlot from Hawkes Bay. My luggage is checked through to San Francisco, so it couldn’t be easier. There’s time to browse Kiwi label Icebreaker’s large airport store, then sample a Te Pa Sauv Blanc back in the lounge ahead of boarding for the 19:55 departure.

Like the plane, the lounge is full of Kiwis and Americans, with a smattering of Australians. A new lounge, Koru Premier, is scheduled to open at the end of this year, with a second Koru lounge to follow at the end of 2027. Until then, the current lounge will continue operating (at reduced capacity once building begins), supported by the temporary Lookout Lounge. Upside? Those brilliant Kiwi wines taste just as good anywhere.

Baggage

Among the most generous: Business Premier passengers can check in three bags, with each bag weighing up to 23kg. When flying up front, you can bring two pieces of carry-on, weighing a combined total of up to 14kg.

Loyalty scheme

Air New Zealand’s free-to-join Airpoints lets you earn Airports Dollars™ (APD) on NZ flights, plus partner Star Alliance airlines, and also through credit cards, petrol and hotels. From April 2026, Airpoints will evolve into a new program called Koru.

The seat

NZ is doing truly revolutionary things on aircraft – from their Skycouch and Skynest concepts to help facilitate sleep for cattle class passengers, to the reimagined pointy end. Up front, you’ll find 26 business class seats divided up as four exclusive “Business Premier Luxe” suites (think First Class Lite) with sliding privacy doors, and 22 standard “Business Premier” seats. That said, there’s nothing standard about these seats. Ease into the wool-blend-breathable-fabric seat that’s 54 centimetres wide and extends to a generous 80.25-inch (203.8cm) fully flat bed (which tapers to 21.5cm at the feet) with a sliding privacy screen.

The 1-2-1 herringbone layout is light years from the old NZ business class, which was awkwardly angled. The quilted mattress topper, doona and pillow are among the best I’ve encountered in the air.

There are plenty of storage cubbies, and handy spots for phone and wallet, plus a mirror next to the seat for morning bed hair adjustments.

Note that NZ has 14 of the 787-9 aircraft, of which seven have been retrofitted, with the remainder to be finished by December.

Entertainment + tech

The 24-inch monitor is a luxe touch, as is the wireless recharging pad built into the seat’s armrest. I can use Bluetooth audio to pair my devices with in-flight entertainment, but the padded headphones provided are better than my earbuds. Shout out for the soft LED lighting, which is always a blessing on long-haul flights; ditto the easy-to-use personal control lights at your seat (overhead and reading).

Service

Outstanding. When I board, Taylor Swift is playing and (superlative) crew are handing out that guaranteed cure for jet lag: French champagne (Laurent-Perrier La Cuvee NV) and a piping hot face towel. Special shoutout for the deep-purple uniforms designed by the New Zealand-born, London-based Emilia Wickstead. The uniforms speak to Maori heritage, with prints by artist and tattooist Te Rangitu Netana. Even the passengers were cool. When the pilot mentioned that we were waiting on a few running late, one guy called out: “Just leave ’em behind, bro, if they can’t tell the time.”

Food

So good I looked up the executive chef on landing – it’s Justin Koen, originally from Zimbabwe. One of the signature dishes he recommends is the crayfish bisque with saffron creme and black coral tuile. I’d already opted for the delicious Wild Fjordland venison fillet, followed by the red duck curry and a side salad. Breakfast was overnight oats with fruit. Anticipate a strong selection of spirits and NZ wines.

Sustainability

Committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and aims to use 10 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030.

One more thing

In the modern era of mass business class (A380s have up to 78 business class seats), it feels special to be in a small, well-designed cabin. Also, NZ’s relatively small fleet of 60+ jet aircraft (787s, A320/A321s) used for international/domestic trunk routes is between eight and 11 years old, making it younger than many bigger airlines.

The price

From $12,068 return if you can be flexible on dates.**

The verdict

Sweet as, bro, sweet as – and worth the extra Auckland stop for a great, competitively priced brand-new product, whether you’re up front or riding the Skycouch. Made me proud to be half Kiwi (my mum is from Hokitika).

Our score out of five

★★★★★

The writer flew courtesy of Air New Zealand. See airnewzealand.com.au

*For more information about air travel and sustainability, see iata.org

**Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.